Jhajharia becomes the first para athletes to receive Padma Bhushan

Veteran Devendra Jhajharia became the first para athlete para competitor to get the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian award.

The 40-year-old Jhajharia got the esteemed honor from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Jhajharia is a multiple-time Paralympics medal winner, having won his first gold during the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, his second gold medal during the Rio Games in 2016, and a silver medal during the 2020 Tokyo.

The javelin hurler contends in the F46 events in the Paralympics and was among the four Paralympic medallists to be consulted with the Padma awards this year.

Tokyo Paralympics two-time medallist shooter Avani Lekhara got the Padma Shri for her brilliant appearance last year.Lekhara won a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing occasion and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.

Close by Jhajharia and Lekhara, gold medal winning javelin hurler Sumit Anil, gold medallist in badminton Pramod Bhagat were the other Paralympic stars to be consulted with the honor.

“This is the first time a para athlete has got the Padma Bhushan, and I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. Now I will have more responsibility towards the country, to win more medals for India. “To the youth, I will say work hard. One minute of work will not get you anything. I have worked hard for the past 20 years, 2002 was the first time I won a gold medal,” he added,” Jhajharia said.

Avani Lekhara tweeted, “Honoured and grateful to be awarded the Padma Shri. This award is a testament to not only my efforts, but the sacrifices of my family and the support of everyone involved in my career helping me achieve all I have. I look forward to representing the country with the same passion!”